Shown from left are Oakwood Cemetery Board of Regents member Ellen Hoffer, sexton Hal Heagy and board members Ken Locke, Max Mock and Don Guthrie. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union.

By Jackie Gorski
Times-Union

WARSAW — The possibility of renting out the chapel at Oakwood Cemetery was discussed during the Board of Regents meeting Thursday, Dec. 5.

Sexton Hal Heagy said renting out the chapel currently wasn’t possible, but is something he could look at. The issue was visited at one point, but it didn’t go forward due to liability issues. Heagy said he didn’t know if it was due to insurance issues. It doesn’t mean the cemetery couldn’t revisit the issue with city attorney Scott Reust and Mayor Jeff Grose.

Heagy said the Parks Department does rent out places for events, so he thought it was something that could be looked into for the cemetery. Heagy said a lot of money was put into the chapel and it is hardly ever used.

Board President Ken Locke said there were a lot of people at the Veterans Day program who said it was the first time they were ever in the chapel.

Locke said he thought it should be something the board should look into. He suggested possibly looking into limiting what types of events can be held there, suggesting it could possibly be used as a meeting area.

He didn’t know if holding big food events at the chapel would be a good idea. Heagy said he’s not totally against it, but the food would have to be brought in and cleaned up.

Heagy suggested board members put ideas together to see what they could do.

In other business, the board heard:

• A walkway in Cremation Garden #3 has been completed.
• Leak pickup has mostly been concluded.
• Winter banners have been placed along the main cemetery roads.
• The cemetery’s wood giveaway has started. Anyone who needs wood can get vouchers from The Salvation Army.
• The chapel was used for the Veterans Day program led by the American Legion. Locke said he received a lot of positive feedback about the use of the bell in the ceremony.

The cemetery was also recognized for its 150th anniversary during the ceremony.